A Transnational Institute (TNI) Public Discussion Series, co-sponsored by NCDO

Online chat:  http://live.dds.nl/irc (server irc.dds.nl channel #live)



Debate #1. Thursday May 20, 9 pm - 11.30 pm UK ( = 20.00 till about 22:30 C.E.T. [Amsterdam local time] = 2pm-4.30pm E.S.T. NewYork)

Another World is possible if…there is respect for international law and the sovereignty of nations - The Case of Iraq
 http://www.debalie.nl/artikel.jsp?articleid=16668


It is a little over a year since Iraq was invaded, in the face of opposition from the biggest and most global anti-war movement in history which saw the bigger implications of the emerging pattern. The deadline for handing national sovereignty back to the citizens of Iraq approaches as resistance to the occupation intensifies.

What are the prospects for peace, democratization and reconstruction in Iraq? Who is the resistance? What do they want? TNI brings to Amsterdam five people, long experienced with Iraq and the bigger questions raised by the occupation, who have recently returned from Iraq to discuss these and other issues.

Speakers:

• Walden Bello, 2003 Right Livelihood Awardee, Asian Peace Alliance leader, and director of Focus on a Global South
 http://www.debalie.nl/persoon.jsp?personid=16698

• Phyllis Bennis, US journalist/author, Iraq/Middle East specialist
 http://www.debalie.nl/persoon.jsp?personid=16711

• Jochen Hippler, Peace and Development Studies Centre, University of Duisberg, Germany.
 http://www.debalie.nl/persoon.jsp?personid=16721

• Kamil Mahdi, Iraqi expert, democracy activist, Exeter University, UK

• Achin Vanaik, Indian journalist/author, Asian Peace Alliance
 http://www.debalie.nl/persoon.jsp?personid=16728




Debate #2. Friday May 21st, 9 pm - 11.30 pm UK ( = 20.00 till about 22:30 C.E.T. [Amsterdam local time] = 2pm-4.30pm E.S.T. NewYork)

Another World is possible if … political freedoms are guaranteed. - Political Liberties and ‘The War on Terrorism’
 http://www.debalie.nl/artikel.jsp?articleid=16676


Terrorism has traditionally been defined in distinction from armed struggle, which does not target civilians, by oppressed or colonized peoples in situations where avenues for political negotiations have been closed by the ruling forces. The ‘War on Terrorism’ today is in danger of making no such distinctions, with profound implications not only for political and civil liberties here and elsewhere, particularly of Moslems, but indeed for peace negotiations and conflict resolution in many parts of the world – from Colombia, to Palestine, the Philippines.

The EU has recently appointed a Dutch politician, Gijs de Vries to serve as its first anti-terrorism coordinator. What is his perspective? The EU Accord on countering terrorism was introduced in March, what are the implications for civil and political liberties in Europe? Is The Netherlands under threat from terrorism? What is a progressive response to terrorism? These are some of the issues we will be grappling with at this public discussion.

TNI brings to Amsterdam three eminent people from parts of the world directly affected by armed conflict and who have thought through these issues. They hope to discuss their experiences and ideas.

Speakers:

• Mariano Aguirre, specialist on the Basque country, Algerian, Palestinian and Western Sahara, Centre for Peace Studies, Spain
 http://www.debalie.nl/persoon.jsp?personid=16810

• Ricardo Vargas, specialist on the nexus of drugs, armed conflict and state legitimacy, Acción Andina, Colombia
 http://www.debalie.nl/persoon.jsp?personid=16818

• Praful Bidwai, specialist on religion and conflict in the South Asian context, journalist/author, Asian Peace Alliance, India
 http://www.debalie.nl/persoon.jsp?personid=16828